Slack-adjuster.



PATENTBD JAN. 20, 1903. W. H. SAUVAGB.

SLACK ADJUSTER.

APPLICATION FILED I'E-B. 21, 1902.

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UNITED STATES PATENT O FIC WILLIAM HENRY SAUVAGE, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO OHRESTUS A. TRIPP, OFSALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

SLACK-ADJUSTER.

SPECIIFZGATION forming partof Letters Patent N 0. 718,799, dated January 20, 1903.

Application filed February 21, 1902. Serial No. 95,079. (No model.)

in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in what are known as slack-adj usters for car-v brakes or means for automatically maintaining the brake-shoes at a uniform predetermined distance from the car-wheels. The loss of time required in hand adjustments and the great difficulty experienced in attaining the proper regulations of brake-shoes by hand has emphasized the demand for an automatic device to perform this function. Automatic regulations of the brake-shoes,whereby the piston-travel of the air-brake mechanism is properly controlled, is an important feature in connection with air-brake service.

My object is to provide a device or apparatus adapted to effectually perform the aforesaid function; and the same consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

My present invention consists of. certain improvements over the constructions set forth in my previous patents numbered 693,866 and 704,970 and dated February 18, 1902, and July 15, 1902, respectively.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a section taken through the wheel-axles and truck-bolster, showing my improvement in connection with a set of ordinary brake apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation in detail, showing the improvement on a scale somewhat enlarged. Fig. 3 is a view substantially the same as Fig. 1, showing the improvement in connection with inside-connected brake-shoes. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the improvement, on a larger scale, constructed for use in connection with the brake-shoe arrangement shown in Fig. 3'. Fig. 5 shows the kick-springs adapted to facilitate the release of the brake-shoes. Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sections taken on the lines a; x and y g, respectively, of Fig. 2.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the brakebeams; 6, the shoes; 7, the dead-truck lever; 8, the live-truck lever; 9, the top rod; 10, the bottom rod, and 12 the car-wheels. The brake-levers 7 and 8 are connected by a twopart device composed of a rod 13 and a hollow bar 14.

Referring first toFig. 1 of the drawings, the rod 13 is connected with the lever 7 and telescopes in the bar 14, which is attached to the lever 8. The bolt 15, which connects-the rod with the lever 7, passes through a slot 16 and an upwardly-projecting lug 17, formed on one extremity of the rod 13. lug 18 is formed on one extremity of the bar 14 and provided with an opening, in which a bolt 19 is fitted. The rod 13 is provided with ratchet-teeth adapted to be engaged by a spring-dog 20, suitably mounted on the bar 14 and projecting beyond its inner extremity to engagement with the ratchet-teeth of the rod. As shown in the drawings, the extremity of the rod remote from its ratchet-engaging end is provided with a downwardly-extending hook 21, engaging a recess formed in an upward projection 14 of the bar 14. This bar is also provided with a projection 14, located at a suitable distance from the lug 14 and provided with an opening, in which the dog is fitted. 1

As the slack of the brake-shoes is taken up the rod 13 is moved into the hollow or longitudinal opening of the bar 14. During this adjustment the holding extremity of the dog moves over the teeth of the ratchet, and when the slack is taken up the dog holds theparts in the adjusted position, as will be readily understood.

The length of the slot 16 in the rod 13 de termines the normal distance of the brakeshoes from the car-wheels when the brakes are released. All the other slack is taken up by the telescopic connection between the A similar V passing through the slot of the bar and projecting below its lower edge. The lower extremity of this pin is provided with a key to prevent the dog from turning over or jumping out of place. As shown in the drawings, the ratchet-bar is pivotally connected with the bolster and engages an antifrictional hearing 26, mounted on each side of the lever 7.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the teeth of the ratchet-rod occupy aposition the reverse of the teeth shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the slot regulating the normal slack of the shoes is formed in the hollow bar. Hence in these views the ratchet-rod is designated 13, its upward projection 18 the hollow bar 14 its upward projection 17, its slot 16, and the pin passing through the slot 15.

It will now be understood that in applying the brakes through the instrumentality of an ordinary air-brake system, as the \Vestinghouse, the rod 9 will be moved toward the left, or in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and 3, and both brake-beams will be moved toward the wheels of the car by virtue of the cooperation of the bottom rod 10. When the brakes are released, the bolt 15 (see Fig. 1) engages the outer extremity of the slot 16 or the extremity of said slot farther to the left. As the brake-beams move toward the wheels the bar 14. will move toward the left, or in the direction indicated by the arrow, until the extremity of the slot 16 farther to the right engages the bolt 15. If the brake-beams are the proper distance from the wheels, as determined by the length of the slot 16, the shoes will be in contact with the wheels and the rod 13 and the bar 14 will act as an integral part. If, however, there is too much slack, or, what is the same thing, if there is still a space between the brake-shoes and the wheels after the bolt 15 engages the right-hand extremity of the slot 16, the breaking force will act to thrust the rod 13 telescopically into the bar 14 in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 until the superfluous slack is taken up and these shoes brought into contact with the wheels. By Virtue of the arrangement of the rod 13, the bar 14,

and the dog 20 these parts will be maintained in the adjusted position. Then as the brakes are released the rod 9 will be moved in the opposite direction a corresponding distance; but since the slack is taken up the fulcrumpoint of the lever 8 can travel back to its original position, the lower arms of the levers 7 and 8 will be thrust toward the left and the upper arm of the lever 7 toward the right, and the dog 24 will hold the ratchet-rod in the adjusted position, thus compensating for the changed relation of the'parts, while the rod 13 is maintained in the position heretofore stated, or, in other words, in the position in the bar 14: to which it has been thrust or drawn in taking up the slack of the brakeshoes.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the rod 13 is drawn out of the bar in taking up the superfluous slack. When this is accomplished, the dog 20 holds the parts in the adjusted position, the principal operation and the result obtained being substantially the same as with the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is- 1. The combination with brake mechanism, of means for automatically taking up the superfluous slack as the braking force is applied, comprising a connection between the brake-beams consisting of two telescoping parts, one of said parts having ratchet-teeth, a dog mounted on the other part and arranged to engage said teeth, and lock the parts in the adjusted position, a ratchet-bar connected with the dead-truck lever, and allowing it to move as the brakes are released to compensate for the limited movement of the fulcrumpoint of the live-truck lever, a dog mounted on the dead-truck lever and engaging the ratchet-bar for holding the last-named lever in the adjusted position.

2. The combination with brake mechanism, ofaconnection between the brake-beams,comprising two telescoping parts, one of the said parts having ratchet-teeth, and a dog mounted on the other part and adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth of the said part, the part carrying the dog having a recess adapted to receive a projection formed on one extremity of the dog, the said dog-carrying part being also provided with an apertured lug through which the dog passes, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HENRY SAUVAGE.

\Vitnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBRIEN. 

